It seems to me that the attempts to define Quality points in the direction that the bottom level of reality is mental (consciousness), that which Bernardo Kastrup would call "Mind-at-Large", and that the "physical" reality is what that mental activity looks like when perceived (i.e. measured) by a dissociated part (i.e. a metabolizing biological being) of that Mind-at-Large. Dissociation is the means by which the Mind-at-Large can look at itself and reflect on its own being. If this process is not random but has a specific direction - perceived by us as having meaning an value - it could be called Dynamic Quality. Or if one were to add a little poetic twist in the spirit of McGilchrist: What is the matter with matter What is the matter with things Is there a mind behind the stage Or just a crowd of moving strings?
Removing your hand from a hot stove is quality. Placing your hand on a hot stove to keep your child from getting burned is also quality. Multiple variables, context, and stability over time make these ideas very difficult to codify, but they are too important to avoid trying our best to do so. Onward to part 3.
The maths in the quantum science is universes beyond mine. But there does seem to be stuff beyond smallest bits of matter, the 'field of possibilities collapsing' etc. But this is just from reading popularisations. Would like to hear from people who understand these things.
I don’t think that’s accurate. A recently shared video of RP discussing ZMM with students in Mn reveals that he’d been studying at a Zen center in Minneapolis for some time. The interview takes place just as ZMM had taken off. Perhaps he hadnt seriously practiced Zen before beginning writing but he states explicitly that “dharma==Quality” and that he drew heavily from Buddhist and Hindu philosophy. In fact, he explains that Phaedrus doesn’t truly understand Quality until the moment when he breaks down, is stripped of self, and his intellect falls away. These are beautiful analogs for zen enlightenment. Anyway…. Check it out. Truly magnificent
